The best part about our prospect depth is that if a few of Kreider, Erixon, Miller or Thomas all bust we won't be screwed for years to come as it was with Jessiman (among others).

When I joined this board I remember dieing to see Staal and Sanguinetti and Anisimov make the team so that we'd finally have some youth to build around. Now, most of the pieces are already in place and the studs we've got coming up are almost a bonus.

To give Sather credit, this was actually one of the things he talked about when first came to the Rangers. He specifically stated that one of his goals was to develop a steady flow of young talent in the pipeline. Now, the awful drafting of the first half of his tenure made it difficult to accomplish this task. Fortunately, it seems to have kicked into high gear as Clark and Gorton have assumed full control over the operation. But, installing the post draft camp, and the participation in Traverse City have helped to create a stronger loyalty in the Ranger prospects, as well as a bond with their future teammates. I don't think it's any coincidence that the core group of Staal, Girardi, Callahan and Dubinsky have been playing together since they entered the organization, which has led to how tight this group is.

To give Sather credit, this was actually one of the things he talked about when first came to the Rangers. He specifically stated that one of his goals was to develop a steady flow of young talent in the pipeline. Now, the awful drafting of the first half of his tenure made it difficult to accomplish this task. Fortunately, it seems to have kicked into high gear as Clark and Gorton have assumed full control over the operation. But, installing the post draft camp, and the participation in Traverse City have helped to create a stronger loyalty in the Ranger prospects, as well as a bond with their future teammates. I don't think it's any coincidence that the core group of Staal, Girardi, Callahan and Dubinsky have been playing together since they entered the organization, which has led to how tight this group is.

I agree.

And I would like to point out that the post-lockout era is longer than Sather's pre-lockout era. Its amazing how fast time goes.

Since 2004 we have drafted the players we see leading this team right now.

Girardi was signed as an undrafted free agent. Still a testament to the scouting staff.

Add McDonagh, Boyle, Prust, And who knows maybe even Stralman who have/could possibly make their mark with the Rangers.

Let's not forget others who had broke into the league with the Rangers at the start of the turn around. Tyutin, Moore, Prucha, Dawes, Ortmeyer, Betts, Hollweg for examples. However long or good their NHL careers are/were, it was a sign the Rangers were starting to build the system.

The next wave could be better than the current wave. Kreider, Miller, Erixon, McIrath, Fasth, St. Croix, Thomas. A lot of high-end talent still on the way.

First in the Eastern Conference, the future looks bright.

This was the importance of not gutting the roster and system for Nash. Had we gotten him for a couple of pieces, whatever, but Howson was off his rocker. Rangers did the right thing walking away. Stick to the plan. It's working.

THN "Future Watch" is mailing out to subscribers. I'm not a subscriber but they are talking about it on the prospects board. So far all I have gotten in regards to Rangers prospects is that Erixon is ranked a head of Kreider. Erixon is ranked 17th.

Yeah, these lists are pretty useless. It's hard to tell how good a prospect will be until he actually plays in the NHL. Tons and tons of players have been impressive at lower levels only to completely flop in the pro's. McDonagh is one of those rare players that is actually doing better in the NHL than he did at any previous point in his career